More tour bus drivers in Malaysia found without licences, positive for drugs
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PUTRAJAYA - More bus drivers have been found without valid licences and even testing positive for drugs in an ongoing crackdown.
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Road Transport Department had inspected a few hundred buses so far.
“As at last night, 351 tour buses have been inspected. From that number, four drivers were found not to have driving licences, another four did not have a public service vehicle licence, and we have also taken various other actions,” he told reporters at a news conference on July 4.
Mr Loke added: “Six drivers were also arrested for failing a urine screening test related to drugs.”
The Transport Minister on July 1 announced a major crackdown on tour bus and van operators following a fatal accident involving a tour bus descending Genting Highlands. The bus carrying 21 people on June 29 overturned, killing two Chinese tourists.
Mr Loke said the crackdown would continue to ensure that bus companies abide by the law.
“We take this matter seriously – these drivers not only don’t have a licence, but are involved in drug abuse,” he said.
Mr Loke added that the bus operators must replace the driver with one who is qualified, and if they fail to do so, the bus will not be allowed to depart.
He added that this operation was not seasonal and would not stop after one or two weeks.
Other types of buses such as tour buses, express buses and factory buses, as well as lorries, will also be inspected during the operation, he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
